Jalapeno Pesto Burger with Garlic Mayonnaise

Ingredients:

Garlic Mayonnaise
1 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon jalapeno, de-veined, seeded and minced
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Pesto
2 cups basil leaves
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 medium garlic cloves
2 jalapenos, seeded and de-veined
1/3 cup pine nuts
pinch kosher salt
pinch freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

Patties
2 pounds ground chuck
2 tablespoons minced shallots
2 tablespoons Pinot Grigio
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Vegetable oil for brushing on the grill rack
6 hamburger buns, split
6 slices monterey jack cheese
6 romaine lettuce leaves
6 slices tomato
6 slices red onion, separated into rings

Instructions:

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.

To make the mayonnaise, combine the mayonnaise, garlic, jalapenos, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

To make the pesto, combine the basil, parmesan cheese, garlic, jalapenos, pine nuts, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Pulse until mixture forms a paste. Add olive oil to food processor and pulse until combined. Cover and set aside until ready to serve.

To make the patties, combine the ground chuck, shallots, Pinot Grigio, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the buns.

When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, until done to preference, about 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the rolls, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a cheese slice.

To assemble the burgers, spread the garlic mayonnaise over the cut sides of the buns. On each bun bottom, place a lettuce leaf, a slice of tomato, equal amounts of red onion rings, a patty, and 3 tablespoons pesto. Add the bun tops and serve. Makes 6 burgers.